Link Between Religion, Politics, Peace Discussed at Ivorian Religious Leaders’ Meeting

The panel discussion that brought together leaders of various Christian denominations including the Imam of the Abidjan Central Mosque was held under the theme, “Religion, Politics and Peace in Ivory Coast.”

At the end of their Plenary Assembly held from January 14-19,  Bishops in Ivory Coast highlighted four issues that need to be addressed to avert a possible post-election crisis, top on their list having been reconciliation.

In a collective statement, at the end of their the plenary assembly, the Bishops explained, “Reconciliation presupposes, indeed requires, the return of exiles with guarantees of security and reintegration, the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, without exception, and the unfreezing of assets.”

A delegation of Prelates in the West African country was recently received by President Alassane Ouattara to discuss the “reconciliation of all Ivorians” as well as peace and stability in the country.

Also speaking at the March 10 exchange forum, the Grand Mosque of the Plateau and director general of the national Muslim radio station Al Bayane, El Hadj Cissé Djiguiba, praised the excellent relationship between religions in Ivory Coast through the forum of religious confessions which for two decades has been “a framework for permanent consultation between Muslim and Christian leaders.”

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Recalling the current pre-electoral context, the imam of the Abidjan central Mosque dwelt on what should be the discourse of the religious during this pre-electoral period, saying, “October 31 is a crucial date that has been crystallized by the political class whose race for power makes them forget the stakes of this appointment.”

“All the headquarters of political parties are in turmoil and this puts enormous pressure on the population,” he lamented.

“In their speech, the religious must have a role of moderator, mediator, uniting, which allows peace to reign in our country,” he recommended.

For the Vice President of the Ivorian Senate, Makani Diaby, “Well-conceived, well-conducted and well-directed religion and politics are and should be, as the debate has shown, factors contributing to the establishment and advent of a climate of peace, based on fraternity, justice and tolerance.”

According to the general coordinator of the Pan-African Biennial Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, Yao Noël, the NGO he heads has made a firm commitment “to work for the advent of a climate of peace, urging religious denominations to deliver the message of fraternity, love, tolerance and justice especially in this year of elections, where political competition will be fiercely contested.”